12.3.2008 @ 9:42 am - HEROES Update - Look, ma! I’m on TV!

Okay, so after the fleeting glimpse of some of my work on HEROES two weeks ago, and a complete no-show last week, I had given up that we’d be seeing anything on camera.

However, after some prompting from my folks, I sat down to see this week’s episode, and whaddya know? Lo an behold, there it was! It’s a little fuzzy, but it’s unmistakably the cover of Part One.

SUCCESS!

11.18.2008 @ 8:37 am - HEROES?

Last night saw my big debut on national television. I’ve finally seen the episode, and here’s the good news — I did actually make it on camera. The bad news is, it’s way in the background, and you’d be forgiven if you missed it.

The comic book shop scene made two appearances in the episode, but I had to go back and review each shot to see if anything made it, and upon closer inspection, I found it hidden in a one shot. It’s about what I expected it to be — nothing more than a blur in the background.

(See the evidence here.)

However, there’s two more episodes apparently, where the comic shop appears, so perhaps we’ll catch a better glimpse, yet. I’ll not give it hope quite yet.

11.17.2008 @ 9:51 am - Anyone here watch ‘HEROES’?

Even if you don’t, you might want to check out tonight’s episode on NBC. You might notice some familiar artwork in the background.

Seriously, though. I’ve been keeping mum about this for a few months, now, but one of the cool things that came out of San Diego this year was that a production designer from NBC’s ‘HEROES’ came by my table and expressed interest in my artwork. Long story short, they ended up buying 100 books from me and made some posters of the covers to use as set decoration for a comic shop scene that’s apparently airing tonight, and for the next couple of weeks. I’m not sure how much is actually going to appear on camera, but I’m looking forward to seeing for sure, now.

Trouble is, I don’t have cable, and the reception at our place is terrible, so I’ll probably have to catch the episode online via HULU or Netflix later in the week. If anyone happens to catch the episode tonight, please let me know if you see anything!

UPDATE: Also, there’s a new podcast on TalkAboutComics where I’m interviewed about this.

11.5.2008 @ 9:24 am - We did it!

I’m very, very proud of my country today. We’re taking a step in the right direction.

The work’s not over, though. Not by a long shot. There are deep divides to heal, an economy to fix, and wars to end. The real question is can we do this by engaging our newly elected leaders, or by sitting back and just hoping everything will work out?

I sincerely hope we can start talking to each other, and more importantly, to start listening to each other. Regardless of who you cast your vote for yesterday, we are all Americans. We all have a voice, and we all can work together.

11.4.2008 @ 12:00 am - ELECTION DAY 2008

Today, I am proud to cast my vote for Barack Obama. For many out there, he is a new face, and many have voiced their misgivings that one so young and inexperienced could possibly lead our country out of these dark times. However, to me, he is not an unknown. I first learned of this man nearly five years ago when I lived in Chicago, when he was first running to be the Democratic nominee for Senator for Illinois. I learned of his unique ability to reach out to people on opposite sides and get them to work together, in one case to pass a piece of legislation I felt was very important — the videotaping of confessions by the police. I was proud to cast my vote for him in that primary on a cold February day over four years ago. After watching him address the entire nation at the Democratic convention that summer, I was even prouder to do it again that November to put him into the U.S. Senate. Never before have I so strongly resonated with a candidate; he speaks for our generation and our vision of what the world can be.

There has been much said about how this could be the most important election our lifetime. So much is as stake: our economy is in shambles, we are mired in war, and our reputation around the world is in the worst shape it’s been in a generation. However, despite these setbacks, I still have hope for our great nation. We may have let politics divide us, but I believe we can still work together to put things right. And I believe Barack Obama is the man we need in these times to help us do that.

Please do your part, too: Go out today and VOTE!

9.25.2008 @ 9:21 pm - Anime USA!

I’m very excited! The good folks at AnimeUSA have been kind enough to squeeze me in as a last-minute Artist Guest this year. If any of you are in or planning to be in the D.C. area, come out and see me!

8.14.2008 @ 3:24 pm - SOLD OUT! (press release time!)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRST PARADIGM SHIFT SOLD OUT

BOSTON, MA - August 13th, 2008 - Less than a year after its national release, independent graphic novel series Paradigm Shift sells out of its first volume, Part One: Equilibrium, just in time for the release of the second volume in PREVIEWS this September. Plans are under way to reprint immediately.

Paradigm Shift is a police procedural punctuated by sardonic humor, explosive gunfights, and supernatural horror. It originally appeared in the starting lineup of the exclusive online comics portal, ModernTales, and now thrills thousands of fans worldwide with weekly installments at Webcomicsnation.com. The series is applauded by fans and critics alike for its strong writing, beautiful artwork, and the meticulous care taken in its detailed depictions of the artist’s hometown Chicago.

Paradigm Shift - Part One: Equilibrium (ISBN-13: 978-0-9789717-1-7) collects the first volume of online material, including a special bonus section detailing the process of creating the comic, and is priced at $9.95. Released as a 100 page black-and-white, digest-sized soft cover, distributed by Diamond Comics Distributors (Order Code: DEC073615 F).

Paradigm Shift - Part Two: Agitation (ISBN-13: 978-0-9789717-2-4) collects the second volume of online material, and is priced at $12.95. Released as a 120 page black-and-white, digest-sized soft cover, the books ship in November from Dynamanga.net, distributed by Diamond Comics Distributors.

Sample art from the comic is available upon request. Read the ongoing webcomic at www.paradigmshiftmanga.com and see more of Dirk I. Tiede’s work at www.dynamanga.net.

###

For further information contact:
Dynamanga.net
Dirk I, Tiede, Owner
dirk@dynamanga.net

8.13.2008 @ 8:29 am - Report: Otakon

What an end to a whirlwind month. Otakon was amazing, frustrating, exhilarating, and exhausting. Thanks to my friend and traveling companion Shelli Paroline for braving the roads with me, and to Brion and Jen, who were kind enough to squeeze me into their tables this year due to registration snafu. And a HUGE THANK YOU to Andy, Michelle, James, Jeff, Jaeger, and everyone else for helping us run the table. Seriously, we could not have survived this con without you guys. SERIOUSLY. It may have been unbearable, otherwise.

First, the Good: Sales-wise, this con was incredible, once again. I have the pleasure to announce that I am now officially sold out of my print run of PART ONE! I will have to reprint in the coming month if I want to have books at my next show. Thanks to everyone who came by the table, new and returning, who bought books or just flipped through the artwork. You guys have made my summer. Because of you, I don’t have to go into debt to reprint books. Yay!

Also, a big hello Jennie Breeden for putting up with us as neighbors, despite sticky soda on the floor, and shout-outs to (in no particular order) Jamie (In His Likeness), Hawk, Ananth & Crew (Applegeeks), Shawn (Staccato), Dave (Paradox Lost), Dave, Dave & Jay (Chugworth), Brian (Geist Panik), Chris (Blue & Blond), Greg (Abandon), and Nick, Marty & the Gang (Dead of Summer). Thanks for hanging out with us in what little spare time we had, being good neighbors, and generally enduring the con with us. It’s always nice to see familiar and friendly faces at the show.

The Bad:Not since my own beloved hometown con of ACEN have I encountered such disorganization at a large convention. Waiting in line for over two hours to pick up a regular attendee badge before going to Artist’s Alley to set up is a completely unacceptable way to do business. Add in the backups to get in and out of the loading dock (since the security won’t let you load/unload through the street entrance), and a general surliness, you get for a pretty stressful show. I have related my grievances to the AA staff, who unlike the rest of the staff pretty friendly and understanding about the whole thing. Being on ACEN AA staff, myself, I can understand their position. Hopefully some advice will be taken, and things will be better next year.

The Truly Ugly:I have learned a new meaning of the word hell, and it is THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. I thought I was prepared, but I was completely schooled, East Coast-style. Chicago traffic is no laughing matter, but I was left completely unprepared for the soul-crushing power of entire states turned into parking lots. It was bad enough that we chose to take the George Washington bridge on the way down (two hours I will never see again. Thank you, NYC), but I had no idea that returning on a Sunday night would be such a mind-bogglingly bad idea. It took us two hours to get out of Maryland alone. Once we realized that the back-up was caused by the dreaded NJ Pike, we opted to take the back-roads home. What should have been a 7-hour drive turned into a 10-hour Odyssey. We actually made good time once we avoided the Pike, but it meant traveling through some strange areas to get it to work (Thank you, GPS unit!). Anyway, I finally got home well after three in the morning, and I am still recovering two days later. I’m sure all you native East-Coasters could have told me, warned me, and otherwise ridiculed me over this, but all the advice in the world is no substitute for raw, unbridled and brutal experience. I will never make the same mistake again. I will drive through Pennsylvania if it means avoiding this in the future. And considering all the cons that happen in the D.C./Baltimore area, I may just have to. We’ll see.

In closing, all I can say is that I’m glad convention season is over for now. Thanks again for your patience. PS will resume regularly scheduled updates next Tuesday. Until then, enjoy some more impromptu artwork.